October 20, 2013

TV:

One of the more compelling matchups from the Week 7 slate was between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions. Both teams came into the game atop their divisions: the Bengals were riding high after a close win over the Bills in Week 6; the Lions didn’t have much problem with the Browns. With 4-2 records on both sides, something was bound to give. The result was a hard-hitting, intense game that was pretty entertaining to say the least. Let’s break down the numbers and examine the key performances from this matchup so that we can figure out why things happened the way they did. Afterward, we’ll look ahead to Week 8 to see what’s in store for both teams.

What Happened: Early on in the first half, this game turned into a passing duel. The Bengals struck first, with QB Andy Dalton hooking up with No. 1 WR A.J. Green on an 82-yard bomb that got the scoring started. The Lions responded with a TD pass of their own, and the first quarter came to an end at 7-7. In the second, Detroit could only come up with a field goal (and a missed opportunity for a defensive TD, called back by an offside penalty) but the Bengals were able to post another passing score for a 14-10 halftime lead. Strangely enough, Detroit held the ball for 22:10 as opposed to Cincinnati’s 7:50. After another passing score from the Bengals (this one to Tyler Eifert), Calvin Johnson got in on the action, posting a 27-yard TD catch of his own. Cincinnati would add another field goal for a 24-17 lead after three. In the final frame, Johnson came up big again with an unbelievable jump-ball TD catch over three defenders. The score would hold at 24-24 until the end of regulation, when Mike Nugent nailed a 54-yard field goal to seal the Cincinnati victory. That brings the Bengals to 5-2 on the year, while the Lions fall to 4-3.

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars: Since the Bengals ended up winning, we’ll put Green here. He posted a monster game, with six receptions for 155 yards and a TD. We’ll also mention Johnson before we do anyone else, as he was back to form in a big way with nine grabs for 155 and two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks played pretty well: Dalton posted 372 yards and three touchdowns, and Matthew Stafford had 357 and three scores himself. Both players left a few plays out on the field, however, with missed throws and the like--we’re nitpicking there, but hey.

The Goats: If you could point to just one play that swung the tide, this one came down to a bad punt after the Lions’ final possession. After a short kick, Detroit gave Cincinnati the ball near midfield. Two passing plays later, they had a last-second field goal shot and the win. It was their second special teams miscue, after a blocked field goal earlier in the game. Also, there was no real running game to speak of on either side. That’s understandable when you’ve got players like Green and Johnson, but it was more defense than anything. Detroit had a little more success, with 25 rushes for 77 yards between Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.

Injuries: The Bengals have a couple of new injury issues to deal with: DB Leon Hall and DT Devon Still had to come out during the game. For Detroit, they escaped any new injuries, but Nate Burleson, Tony Scheffler and Theo Riddick were all missing.

Outlook: Let’s check out Week 8. For the Bengals, they’ll host the Jets, who are coming off a crazy overtime victory over the Patriots. The Lions will try to regroup and get ready for the Cowboys, who come to town after taking care of Philly.

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